I am originally from the Mërturi fis. The only person that has kept this alive was my grandfather (everyone else forgot our origins), and through genetic testing, I confirmed what he always preserved— that we descend from the Mërturi in Shkodër but were kicked out of the region by Ottoman Turks into (now) Kosova because we would not convert to their religion (as Mërturi is Catholic). This happened centuries ago. Most forgot their origins over time, except my grandfather.

We belong to the “Berisha-Sopi” cluster which is Y-DNA E-V13 (E-Y93102), specifically to the most recent branch, E-Y91573. Rrenjet, which is an Albanian DNA research website, has confirmed the paternal origins for multiple tribes and has an extensive 2000 sample breakdown for Albanian DNA and tribes, including mine— our other DNA tests show we are, in fact, autosomally genetically closest to the Shkoder region as well (for further confirmation).

This genetic confirmation makes me pleased that I am the bridge between oral history and scientific fact.

Anyone else out there who is Mërturi in Kosova, knows about Mërturi history in Kosova, or has something to share about the tribe?